Radiation effect of neutrons produced by D-D side reactions on aD-3He fusion reactor

One of the most important characteristics in D-He-3 fusion reactors is neutron production via D-D side reactions. The neutrons can activate structural material, degrading them and ultimately converting them into high-level radioactive waste, while it is really costly and difficult to remove them. The neutrons from a fusion reactor could also be used to make weapons-grade nuclear material, rendering such types of fusion reactors a serious proliferation hazard. A related problem is the presence of radioactive elements such as tritium in D-He-3 plasma, either as fuel for or as products of the nuclear reactions; substantial quantities of radioactive elements would not only pose a general health risk, but tritium in particular would also be another proliferation hazard. The problems of neutron radiation and radioactive element production are especially interconnected because both would result from the D-D side reaction. Therefore, the presentation approach for reducing neutrons via D-D nuclear side reactions in a D-He-3 fusion reactor is very important. For doing this research, energy losses and neutron power fraction in D-He-3 fusion reactors are investigated. Calculations show neutrons produced by the D-D nuclear side reaction could be reduced by changing to a more He-3-rich fuel mixture, but then the bremsstrahlung power loss fraction would increase in the D-He-3 fusion reactor.